Edgar Degas – Taking a Bath, 1885 Sotheby’s

The pastel drawing presents a solitary figure engaged in a domestic ritual. Here we observe a woman, viewed from behind, bending over within what appears to be a bathroom setting. The composition is dominated by the curve of her back and shoulders, rendered with a muted palette of browns, creams, and touches of blue. Her posture suggests an action – perhaps retrieving something dropped or adjusting clothing – that is abruptly interrupted for the viewer’s gaze.
The artist has employed a loose, expressive technique; the pastel strokes are visible, contributing to a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. The background is indistinct, suggested by washes of orange and red, creating a shallow depth of field that focuses attention on the figures form. A towel draped over her shoulders adds another layer of texture and color variation.
The work’s subtexts revolve around themes of privacy and voyeurism. The intimate nature of the scene – a woman in a state of undress within a private space – is juxtaposed with the act of observation, raising questions about the relationship between subject and viewer. Theres an element of casualness to the depiction; it’s not a staged or idealized pose but rather a fleeting moment captured seemingly without artifice. This contributes to a feeling that we are witnessing something personal, something normally concealed from public view.
The absence of a face further enhances this sense of detachment and anonymity. The figure becomes less an individual and more a representation of the female form within a domestic sphere. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting reflection on themes of vulnerability, observation, and the boundaries between private and public life.